Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Green Business Opportunity

As I sifted through the link-vault last night, I had an "Ah-ha" (and ah-choo) moment while reading this headline:"Two years to change EU light bulbs" from the March 9 Scotsman.

The article goes on to say:

The 490 million citizens of the 27 member states will be expected to switch to energy-efficient bulbs after a summit of EU leaders yesterday told the European Commission to "rapidly submit proposals" to that effect.

I was reminded of the opportunity by this MarketWatch piece:

France's Sonepar SA on Tuesday said it's made a preliminary offer to buy Netherlands-based Hagemeyer NV for 2.51 billion euros ($3.5 billion) to become the world's top distributor of electrical sockets and switches....MORE

There's something alluring about a mandated market, just ask a carbon trader.Rent-seeking, it's the new free enterprise.(Okay, not so new. Long and storied history, actually)